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Options Dilemma - Is EBacc Worth It?

Hi Everyone,

I'm in Year 8, and in about nine months I will be selecting my options.

A bit of background before reading below:
I'm aiming for Cambridge Uni to study something along the lines of Maths/Computer Science/ Engineering. I'm predicted pretty much all 9s for GCSE, and I'm on 5s and 6s right now, which is the highest you can get in my year (my highest grade is currently an 8 because my teacher moved me off the grading scale). I want to take Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Computer Science at A-Level, but I also love Music, I'm Grade 5 Guitar and it's one of my favourite subjects, although I don't want to take it in further education.

Here's the thing, since I want to do Triple Science, my school will only allow me to choose three additional options.

I've been extremely struggling to pick, but I think I've narrowed it down to three possible choices.

1: Music, Computer Science, History (some of my favourite subjects, I have high grades in these (5s and 6s now which are the highest grades available in Year 8, predicted 9s for GCSE, but this doesn't fit EBacc).

2: Music, French, History (whilst self-studying Computer Science, I enjoy French and these options fit Ebacc).

3: Computer Science, History, French (fits EBacc, subjects I enjoy, only problem is I won't be able to do Music, which is a shame because I really like it and am predicted a top grade).

What do you think? Is EBacc worth it? I've found amazing resources to start self-studying Computer Science and take it early, perhaps in Year 9 or 10, is this a good idea?

Thanks for Reading!

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Reply 1

Gingernut123

Hey i am in year 13 and i would honestly pick music as universities don’t care about what GCSE’s you have done but more about grades. And even grades wise i know oxford and Cambridge check your GCSE grades all but most top unis just want you to have done well in Maths and English. I would also choose music as it shows different skills and how you are well rounded and if it’s something you enjoy it will probably help your overall results. Also if you did compter science with either history or french it still counts as EBAC but trust me no university has ever mentioned EBAC its just something secondary schools make you do for better ofsted reports

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 2

EnigmaChess

Original post by Gingernut123

Hey i am in year 13 and i would honestly pick music as as long as universities don’t care about what GCSE’s you have done but more about grades. And even grades wise i know oxford and Cambridge check all but most top unis just want you to have done well in Maths and English. I would also choose music as it shows different skills and how you are well rounded and if it’s something you enjoy it will probably help your overall results.

Thank you for the advice. I just don't want Cambridge to view it as a "soft" subject.

Reply 3

Gingernut123

Original post by EnigmaChess

Thank you for the advice. I just don't want Cambridge to view it as a "soft" subject.

They wont i know someone who got in who studied art and music, universities care more about references, work experience and your personal statement before even checking GCSE grades and options.

Reply 4

EnigmaChess

Original post by Gingernut123

They wont i know someone who got in who studied art and music, universities care more about references, work experience and your personal statement before even checking GCSE grades and options.

Ah okay. I've got some work experience lined up for the summer in Computer Science so that should help.

Reply 5

Trinculo

Cambridge colleges think music is such a soft subject that they give out scholarships for singing, playing instruments and most importantly playing the organ.

Reply 6

EnigmaChess

Original post by Trinculo

Cambridge colleges think music is such a soft subject that they give out scholarships for singing, playing instruments and most importantly playing the organ.

Oh I didn't know that, is this only for music courses?

Reply 7

Trinculo

Original post by EnigmaChess

Oh I didn't know that, is this only for music courses?

It’s by college and each college has different criteria. Some don’t allow it for some courses. There’s a listing under “music awards” .

I’m not suggesting you apply for one - I’m just saying that it would be strange in the extreme to think that music isn’t important at Cambridge.

Reply 8

Muttley79

Original post by EnigmaChess

Thank you for the advice. I just don't want Cambridge to view it as a "soft" subject.

No uni requires the Ebacc - it's not a qualification at all. It's a measure for your school and,as such, is irrelevant to you.

Do subjects you enjoy and will do well in.

[Do note if you go for Engineering then look beyond Cambridge - it's not the best if you want to ne an Engineer - no year in industry option]

Reply 9

EnigmaChess

Original post by Muttley79

I thought it was one of the best universities for engineering, it's rated Number 1 or 2 in most league tables.

Reply 10

Muttley79

Original post by EnigmaChess

I thought it was one of the best universities for engineering, it's rated Number 1 or 2 in most league tables.

League tables don't tell you who is working as an Engineer - none of my top students A*A*A*A go there now.

(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 11

EnigmaChess

Original post by Muttley79

League tables don't tell you who is working as an Engineer - none of my top students A*A*A*A go there now.

What makes Cambridge bad?

Reply 12

Muttley79

Original post by EnigmaChess

What makes Cambridge bad?

It's not 'bad' - the course hasn't kept up with what Engineers need - it's very theoretical and no year in industry.

Reply 13

EnigmaChess

Original post by Muttley79

It's not 'bad' - the course hasn't kept up with what Engineers need - it's very theoretical and no year in industry.

I prefer more theoretical work, is there a subject like Engineering that's a little less hands-on (I was thinking of Engineering as it combines Maths, Physics and Computer Science).

Reply 14

Muttley79

Original post by EnigmaChess

I prefer more theoretical work, is there a subject like Engineering that's a little less hands-on (I was thinking of Engineering as it combines Maths, Physics and Computer Science).

The design part of Engineering is software based but again the last I heard Cambridge wasn't using up-to-date versions.

Reply 15

EnigmaChess

Original post by Muttley79

The design part of Engineering is software based but again the last I heard Cambridge wasn't using up-to-date versions.

Maybe Engineering isn't the right choice, what other subjects are there?

Reply 16

Muttley79

Original post by EnigmaChess

Maybe Engineering isn't the right choice, what other subjects are there?

You are only in year 8 - lots of time to think.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/subject-guides?query=engineering

Put A levels in here: https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

Reply 17

EnigmaChess

Original post by Muttley79

You are only in year 8 - lots of time to think.

https://www.ucas.com/explore/search/subject-guides?query=engineering

Put A levels in here: https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

These links are great, thank you.

Reply 18

Muttley79

Original post by EnigmaChess

These links are great, thank you.

I was going to take a History degree when I was in Year 8 - I didn't stop loving History but found I loved Maths even more!

Keep options broad and you can't go wrong - no uni requires a MFL GCSE or the Ebacc.

Reply 19

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

EBacc is not a qualification, it's a metric used to assess schools. Universities (and employers) don't care whether you did the EBacc or not. In fact by and large they don't care what options you take at GCSE at all, just the overall grades. So just take whatever you'll enjoy and do well in.

Also Cambridge is perfectly fine for engineering. Certain users on this website have a bias against Cambridge (and Oxford) and towards other universities but do not make this clear when advising impressionable students.